Environment and Climate Change >
PORT ARLINGTON SAFE HARBOUR MASTER PLAN RELEASED
Thursday 29 October, 2009
The Portarlington Safe Harbour Plan will provide state-of-the-art harbour
facilities for recreational and commercial vessels and improvements to the
foreshore, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings announced
today.
Mr Jennings said the Portarlington Safe Harbour Plan showed the Brumby
Labor Government was taking action to delivering the $4 million Bays and
Maritime Initiative – Our Bays Vision plan.
“We understand the importance of this harbour to the people of
Portarlington and that’s why we are taking action to bring this long-term
vision of the harbour to reality,” Mr Jennings said.
“To go with the state-of-the-art safe working harbour, on land there will
be improvements to the foreshore environment that will provide a
first-class recreational and tourism experience for residents and visitors.
“The Safe Harbour Plan supports the local mussel farming industry and has
the capacity for a ferry service. On land, works include development of a
town square, closure of Pier Street to vehicles, creation of a path
network, rationalisation of car parking, tree planting and the development
of new small scale commercial business opportunities fronting the harbour.
“These upgrades and new facilities will provide a boost for the local
economy through building works and tourism, both of which will create jobs
for the region.
“The strong support we have received for many of these initiatives
demonstrate this Plan truly reflects the community’s values and aspirations
for Portarlington.”
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville welcomed the Portarlington Safe Harbour
Plan that will see significant improvements to harbour facilities and
improvements to the foreshore.
“The local community have made a fantastic contribution to these plans and
are helping to shape the look and feel of their area,” Ms Neville said.
“During the consultation with the Portarlington community a total of 1230
submissions were received in response to the draft plan.
“Two key changes made to the plan in direct response to community concerns
are that the proposed hotel development on the Bowls Club site is a longer
term option requiring further investigation while the layout of the harbour
was changed to improve functionality,” she said.
The plan has been led by Parks Victoria in consultation with the City of
Greater Geelong, Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management,
Tourism Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Department of
Sustainability and Environment, and Marine Safety Victoria.
The Portarlington Safe Harbour Plan allows for implementation over a 10
year period. The final Plan is available on the Parks Victoria website at
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
